Screen time: New Samsung Galaxy S8 touts big, hi-res screen

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Apr 17, 2017 at 9:55 AMApr 17, 2017 at 9:55 AM

Deena Bouknight More Content Now

The smartphone universe is abuzz with the latest from Samsung: Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Available April 21, this new tech-world entry’s most talked about feature is its screen (5.8-inch or 6.2-inch) that wraps around most of the phone. Many reviewers point to the S8’s screen as raising the bar for other smartphones.

“People want big screens, but they also want to hold their phones in one hand,” says PCMag.com lead mobile analyst Sascha Segan. “That’s created a problem for big-screen phones like the Google Pixel XL and iPhone Plus models, which are quite wide. By using a tall, narrow form factor and killing the side bezels, the S8 gives you more screen area while still being easy to hold.”

Segan traveled recently to South Korea where he spoke to Robert Kim, vice president of Samsung’s global product strategy team, who told him a key objective was to devise a large screen in a small device.

Other factors to consider when determining whether the S8 and S8+ are worth the $720 to $850 price tags:• They have an HDR (high dynamic range) screen, which results in more detailed, colorful images.• They have virtual assistant Bixby, touted as a more seamless and intuitive way to interact on a smartphone. The goal is for S8 to be more voice-driven than touch-driven. • Speed and storage — 64 GB in each model rather than the S7’s 32 GB.• More screen space due to the pressure-sensitive home button being part of the screen.

Designers also kept the headphone jack, putting the S8 in a more positive light than Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which eliminated the traditional 3.5 mm jack.

Segan has reviewed hundreds of mobile devices and his opinion is that the S8 “feels great.”